With only one day to go before embarkation, strong winds have altered the itinerary for the next sailing to be operated by Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas.
The 9-day Western Caribbean cruise, which will embark from Galveston, Texas, on April 17, 2025, was supposed to call on Progreso, Mexico; Cozumel, Mexico; Costa Maya, Mexico; Belize City, Belize; and Roatan, Honduras.
However, the very first port call of the trip on Progreso, which was scheduled for April 19, 2025, had to be cancelled due to high winds expected in the area. The forecast calls for winds of over 30 miles per hour, which can make docking unsafe.
But passengers shouldn’t feel too disappointed – as the scrapped port call will be replaced with an extra day of fun in Cozumel, Mexico, instead.
“Our Captain, along with our Chief Meteorologist, Craig Setzer, have been monitoring strong winds developing in and around the channel in Yucatán (Progreso), Mexico,” Royal Caribbean wrote to impacted guests.
“To provide you with the best experience, we have decided to cancel the call to Yucatán and enjoy an additional visit to Cozumel, Mexico, instead,” continued the update.
Based on the letter, the 2,501-guest ship will now be in Cozumel on April 19, in addition to the original planned visit on April 20.
But while guests are sort of getting an overnight call, the Radiance-class ship will not remain docked overnight. This means passengers likely won’t be getting extended hours to explore the port and will need to continue to pay close attention to all aboard times to avoid getting left behind.
“While we’ll enjoy visiting Cozumel over two days, our ship will not stay overnight at the port. Instead, she will venture out to sea before returning in the morning ready for another day of island fun and adventure,” Royal Caribbean clarified.
Cruise lines are often charged higher docking fees for overnight port calls, likely making a last-minute traditional overnight call impractical.
A Stronger Partnership with Cozumel
While a last-minute itinerary change can be disappointing, there are worse places to spend an extra day than a literal island paradise.
Cozumel is a prime cruise ship destination, and is capable of hosting up to eight large ships in one day. As the third busiest cruise port in the world, the Caribbean stop welcomes millions of cruisers annually – and saw more than 4.6 million guests arrive on its sandy shores in 2024.
The island is famous for diving and snorkeling in its clear waters, which are filled with marine life, and coral reefs – such as the 3.5-mile long Palancar Reef.
It is also renowned for its rich cultural heritage and lasting connections to the ancient Mayans, including relics and artifacts found in the Cozumel Museum.
Read Also: Cozumel Cruise Port – Terminals, Piers and Getting Around
With so much to do and see at this already popular destination, Royal Caribbean has been strengthening its ties with the port – so it only makes sense that Cozumel would be a top choice to re-route Jewel of the Seas when the need arose.
In fact, the cruise line is in the process of constructing a new beach club on the island, which will be called Royal Beach Club Cozumel, and is expected to welcome its first guests in 2026.
“Cozumel is an incredible destination, and the beach club will perfectly complement all the island has to offer as an experience that combines familiar Royal Caribbean touches with the spirit of Mexico, alongside amenities and activities for every type of vacationer,” Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean, said when the project was announced.
The beach club will help guests discover and unwind in Cozumel in new ways, featuring amenities like swim-up bars, dedicated pools for both adults and families, private cabanas to rent, and will even host interactive experiences like tequila tastings and cooking classes.
The goal of the club is also to help build sustainable infrastructure and benefit the local economy, such as by providing jobs for the people of Cozumel.
